Human airway and lung microbiome at the crossroad of health and disease (Review) /

The evolving field of the microbiome and microbiota has become a popular research topic. The human microbiome is defined as a new organ and is considered a living community of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms within a certain body space. The term ‘microbiome’ is used to define the entire genome of the microbiota. Bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae and small protists are all members of the microbiota, followed by phages, viruses, plasmids and mobile genetic elements. The composition, heterogeneity and dynamics of microbiomes in time and space, their stability and resistance, essential characteristics and key participants, as well as interactions within the microbiome and with the host, are crucial lines of investigation for the development of successful future diagnostics and therapies. Standardization of microbiome studies and harmonized comparable methodologies are required for the transfer of knowledge from fundamental science into the clinic. Human health is dependent on microbiomes and achieved by nurturing beneficial resident microorganisms and their interplay with the host. The present study reviewed scientific knowledge on the major components of the human respiratory microbiome, i.e. bacteria, viruses and fungi, their symbiotic and parasitic roles, and, also, major diseases of the human respiratory tract and their microbial etiology. Bidirectional relationships regulate microbial ecosystems and host susceptibility. Moreover, environmental insults render host tissues and microbiota disease‑prone. The human respiratory microbiome reflects the ambient air microbiome. By understanding the human respiratory microbiome, potential therapeutic strategies may be proposed

Use of Bacillus subtilis lysate for the immunomodulation of the respiratory system cells /

The invention discloses a method and an application of the lysate of Bacillus subtilis for the stimulation of human bronchial epithelium and monocytes in vitro. This invention has direct relevance as an immune stimulator administered against infectious bacterial and non-bacterial diseases when an augmented immune response against an unknown pathogen is required. It works on innate immunity cells, i.e. antigen-presenting monocytederived-macrophages, and within airway epithelium by enhancing barrier functions andpromoting the release of inflammatory mediators. In vitro effects of the lysate involve monocyte differentiation towards macrophages and stimulation of the epithelium to release cytokines and chemokines and tightened intraepithelial junctions. The method proposed here offers an efficient, physiological and affordable way to induce immune stimulation. Such method may be applied in vitro and in clinic since Bacillus subtilis is a ubiquitous bacterium present in water, soil, air, and is considered a beneficial microorganism as it does not possess traits that cause disease. It is not considered pathogenic or toxigenic to humans, animals, or plants

Cytoprotective Effects of Mangiferin and <i>Z</i>-Ligustilide in PAH-Exposed Human Airway Epithelium in Vitro

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular disorders, respiratory diseases, including COPD, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections, neuro-degenerative and other diseases. It is also known that various phytochemicals may mitigate such risks. This study tested if phytochemicals mangiferin (MNG) and Z-ligustilide (Z-LG) may protect PAH-exposed human lung bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Organic PAH extract was obtained from the urban fine PM with high benzo(a)pyrene content collected in Eastern European mid-sized city during winter heating season. Cell proliferation traits and levels of intracellular oxidative stress were examined. Effect of MNG (0.5 &#181;g/mL) alone or in combination with PAH on bronchial epithelium wound healing was evaluated. Both phytochemicals were also evaluated for their antioxidant properties in acellular system. Treatment with MNG produced strong cytoprotective effect on PAH-exposed cells (p &lt; 0.01) while Z-LG (0.5 &#181;g/mL) exhibited strong negative effect on cell proliferation in untreated and PAH-exposed cells (p &lt; 0.001). MNG, being many times stronger antioxidant than Z-LG in chemical in vitro assays (p &lt; 0.0001), was also able to decrease PAH-induced oxidative stress in the cell cultures (p &lt; 0.05). Consequently MNG ameliorates oxidative stress, speeds up wound healing process and restores proliferation rate in PAH-exposed bronchial epithelium. Such protective effects of MNG in air pollution affected airway epithelium stimulate further research on this promising phytochemical

Human nasal microbiota shifts in healthy and chronic respiratory disease conditions

Abstract Background An increasing number of studies investigate various human microbiotas and their roles in the development of diseases, maintenance of health states, and balanced signaling towards the brain. Current data demonstrate that the nasal microbiota contains a unique and highly variable array of commensal bacteria and opportunistic pathogens. However, we need to understand how to harness current knowledge, enrich nasal microbiota with beneficial microorganisms, and prevent pathogenic developments. Results In this study, we have obtained nasal, nasopharyngeal, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from healthy volunteers and patients suffering from chronic respiratory tract diseases for full-length 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Demographic and clinical data were collected simultaneously. The microbiome analysis of 97 people from Lithuania suffering from chronic inflammatory respiratory tract disease and healthy volunteers revealed that the human nasal microbiome represents the microbiome of the upper airways well. Conclusions The nasal microbiota of patients was enriched with opportunistic pathogens, which could be used as indicators of respiratory tract conditions. In addition, we observed that a healthy human nasal microbiome contained several plant- and bee-associated species, suggesting the possibility of enriching human nasal microbiota via such exposures when needed. These candidate probiotics should be investigated for their modulating effects on airway and lung epithelia, immunogenic properties, neurotransmitter content, and roles in maintaining respiratory health and nose-brain interrelationships

Cardiomyogenic differentiation potential of human dilated myocardium‐derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells: The impact of HDAC inhibitor SAHA and biomimetic matrices

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common type of nonischemic cardiomyopathy characterized by left ventricular or biventricular dilation and impaired contraction leading to heart failure and even patients’ death. Therefore, it is important to search for new cardiac tissue regenerating tools. Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hmMSCs) were isolated from post‐surgery healthy and DCM myocardial biopsies and their differentiation to the cardiomyogenic direction has been investigated in vitro. Dilated hmMSCs were slightly bigger in size, grew slower, but had almost the same levels of MSC‐typical surface markers as healthy hmMSCs. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in dilated hmMSCs was 1.5‐fold higher than in healthy ones, which was suppressed by class I and II HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) showing activation of cardiomyogenic differentiation‐related genes alpha‐cardiac actin (ACTC1) and cardiac troponin T (TNNT2). Both types of hmMSCs cultivated on collagen I hydrogels with hyaluronic acid (HA) or 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and exposed to SAHA significantly downregulated focal adhesion kinase (PTK2) and activated ACTC1 and TNNT2. Longitudinal cultivation of dilated hmMSC also upregulated alpha‐cardiac actin. Thus, HDAC inhibitor SAHA, in combination with collagen I‐based hydrogels, can tilt the dilated myocardium hmMSC toward cardiomyogenic direction in vitro with further possible therapeutic application in vivo